Centre Director (Centre Manager)
Growing Stars Montessori School | Shellharbour, NSW
Lead a beautiful, family-owned Montessori preschool where people, culture and quality education come first.
Growing Stars Montessori School is seeking an experienced, organised and inspiring Centre Director to lead our wonderful team in the heart of Shellharbour on the beautiful NSW South Coast.
We are a boutique 30-place, family-owned Montessori preschool that prides itself on providing exceptional early childhood education in a warm, supportive and welcoming environment.
As an independent service, we value quality over quantity, genuine relationships with our families, and creating a positive workplace where educators feel respected, supported and inspired.
Our vision is simple: to give every child the best possible start in life by fostering a lifelong love of learning.
If you're an experienced Centre Director who enjoys building strong teams, creating positive workplace culture, maintaining high standards, and making a genuine difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.
Why Join Growing Stars?
At Growing Stars, you'll be supported by approachable owners who genuinely value their team.
We believe that when educators feel appreciated, supported and empowered, children thrive.
What we offer:
Lead a boutique 30-place independent preschool
Beautiful Shellharbour location on the NSW South Coast
Supportive, family-owned organisation with approachable owners
Positive, collaborative and respectful team culture
Opportunity to make a real impact on the future of the service
Competitive above-award salary (based on experience)
Professional development opportunities
Staff uniforms provided
Team social events and celebrations




Work with passionate educators who genuinely care about children
About You
You are someone who naturally brings people together, leads by example and enjoys mentoring others.
You are:
An experienced and confident Centre Director or an experienced Assistant Director ready to step into the next stage of your career
Highly organised with excellent time management skills
Passionate about building a positive, supportive workplace culture
Calm, approachable and solutions-focused
An exceptional communicator who builds solid relationships with families and staff
Committed to delivering high-quality education and care
Trustworthy, reliable and professional with high personal integrity
Passionate about continuous improvement
Have a clear understanding of childcare centre compliance requirements to align with the National Law, Regulations and National Quality Standards.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
Early Childhood Teacher (ECT), Advanced Diploma or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
Current Working With Children Check
Current First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis qualifications (or willingness to obtain)
Strong knowledge of the National Quality Framework (NQF), National Law & Regulations, Child Safe Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
Previous Centre Director experience highly regarded




Montessori qualifications or experience desirable, but not essential
Your Responsibilities
As Centre Director, you'll play a key leadership role in the day-to-day operation of the service, including:
Leading, mentoring and supporting a positive, high-performing team
Creating and maintaining an exceptional workplace culture where educators feel valued and supported
Ensuring compliance with the National Law, Regulations and National Quality Standards
Maintaining strong relationships with children, families and the local community
Managing enrolments and family communications
Preparing staff rosters and overseeing leave management
Supporting recruitment, onboarding and staff development
Managing educator-to-child ratios
Overseeing occupancy and waitlist management
Driving continuous quality improvement across the service
Promoting a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment for every child
Why This Role Is Different
This isn't just another Centre Director position.
Because we're a small, independent service, you'll have the opportunity to truly know every child, every family and every educator.
Your ideas will be heard, your leadership will be valued, and you'll have the autonomy to make a meaningful difference.
If you're looking for a role where you can focus on quality education, lead a fantastic team, and enjoy coming to work each day, we'd love to meet you.
Apply Now
If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to:
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We look forward to welcoming an exceptional leader to the Growing Stars Montessori School family.

📌 Early Childhood Centre Manager / Director (Wollongong)
🏢 Growing Stars Montessori School
📍 Wollongong